A call for neighborhood improvements as part of HALA. Maybe it’s in there but I don’t recall any stress or even mention of the importance of real physical improvements to entice neighbors to accept growth.
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The masses don’t care about abstractions such as “sustainability” or “social justice”.
Give them a better neighborhood. Real improvements.
As is, many people don’t see any personal gain for their neighborhood. So many resist the spirit of HALA. (While I am skeptical of some of HALA, I laud its spirit.)
If we want good walkable urbanism (which means in practice higher density) then neighbors must believe that growth will have a real tangible (& soon) positive impact.
So far, much rhetoric revolves around people “accepting fair share of growth” as if it is bitter pill. Or accusations of “You are a racist if you want a quiet street.”
That won’t work over the long term.
(And if you think that I am too focussed on personal advantage, I ask why do so many people care about rent control? It’s because THEY want cheaper rent. They want it for themselves. And nothing wrong with that. But at bottom, self-interest is basis for political action.)
Two thumbs up! This should be obvious. Seattle has a lot of spaces that are poorly developed now .. Elliott Ace, Rainier Ace, where a modest investment in attractive CIVIC facilities and business centers would obvioulsy attract developers. Combined with incentives, transit and zoning changes directed at owners, this could dtimulate conversion of single family cottages to much more rational (and sustainable) small multi family housing units.. townhouses. mIL apartments, small condo bldgs. Done well the mall property owners would benefit greatly.